inhibit
/in'hibit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To restrain, hinder, or prevent an action, process, or expression: To hold back or keep in check, often referring to emotions, impulses, or natural functions.
- To slow down, block, or decrease the action or function of something: Often used in scientific contexts to describe the suppression of a chemical, biological, or physical process.
- To prohibit or forbid by authority: An older or more formal usage meaning to officially disallow something.
Usage and Examples
- General Usage (Restraining behavior or emotion):
- The shy child felt inhibited in large groups. (The child's natural behavior was restrained by shyness.)
- She inhibited her anger and responded calmly. (She held back her feeling of anger.)
- Scientific/Biological Usage (Blocking a function):
- This drug inhibits the growth of bacteria. (The drug prevents the bacteria from growing.)
- The enzyme's activity was inhibited by the high temperature. (The high temperature decreased the enzyme's function.)
- Social/Formal Usage (Restricting by custom or rule):
- Strict etiquette inhibited free conversation at the dinner. (Formal rules restricted natural conversation.)
Advanced Usage
- "to inhibit someone from doing something": To prevent or discourage someone from a specific action.
- Fear of failure inhibited him from applying for the promotion.
- Inhibited (Adjective): Describing a person who is unable to act or express feelings freely.
- He is too inhibited to dance in public.
Variants and Related Words
- Inhibition (Noun):
- The inhibition of this reaction is crucial for the experiment. (The blocking of the reaction.)
- She felt a sense of inhibition when speaking to authority figures. (A feeling of restraint.)
- Inhibitor (Noun): A substance or agent that causes inhibition.
- A corrosion inhibitor was added to the metal. (A substance that slows corrosion.)
- Uninhibited (Adjective): Not restrained; free and open.
- Her uninhibited laughter filled the room.
Synonyms
- Restrain: To hold back from action.
- Suppress: To put an end to something forcibly.
- Hinder: To create difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.
- Curb: To restrain or keep in check.
- Impede: To delay or block progress.
Antonyms
- Promote: To encourage or support.
- Stimulate: To encourage activity or growth.
- Facilitate: To make an action or process easier.
- Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope.
Related Phrases and Contexts
- Inhibitory effect: The effect of slowing or stopping a process.
- The chemical had a strong inhibitory effect on the virus.
- Social inhibition: Psychological restraint felt in social situations.
- Alcohol can reduce social inhibition.
Verb
- control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
- limit, block, or decrease the action or function of
- inhibit the action of the enzyme
- inhibit the rate of a chemical reaction
- limit the range or extent of
- Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs
- to put down by force or authority
- suppress a nascent uprising
- stamp down on littering
- conquer one's desires